Former Minister for Regional Development; Lands; Minister Assisting the Minister for State Development

$8.6million upgrade for Collie Hospital

8/07/2014 12:00 AM

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Collie Hospital will undergo an $8.6million upgrade as part of a $325.8million boost to health infrastructure across southern Western Australia, funded by the State Government’s Royalties for Regions program.

“SIHI is the biggest health investment in regional WA and will improve health infrastructure for hospitals and nursing posts and increase the range and accessibility of specialist health services.”

Mr Redman said the $325.8million boost, funded by the $565million Royalties for Regions-funded SIHI, would significantly increase the provision of healthcare services essential to the sustainability of regional WA.

“The Emergency Telehealth Service will improve access to specialist care that the community would otherwise have to travel to metropolitan hospitals to receive, or simply not have received,” Mr Redman said.

“This Royalties for Regions investment through SIHI is the biggest health investment in regional WA and will bring significant health benefits as well as boost the local economy by increasing job opportunities in the community.”

While tenders will determine the specific timeline for the project, it is expected that the upgrade at Collie Hospital will start in early 2016, and take about 18 months.

SIHI will deliver health infrastructure to 36 towns across the southern inland region of WA.

The $325.8million investment will involve upgrades to six district hospitals totalling $173.7million, as well as an additional $108.8million for upgrades and refurbishment of small hospitals and nursing posts.A further $43.3million has been allocated towards fit-for-purpose healthcare facilities that focus on the promotion of good health, prevention and early detection of illness, with the first two sites in Pingelly and Cunderdin under way.